On July 6, the Center for Economic Policy successfully held a panel event that explored the “Financial and Social Well-being of Migrant Domestic Workers in Hong Kong”. The event was moderated by Professor Albert Francis PARK, the center’s Director, and led a lively discussion with Professor Sujata VISARIA, Associate Professor of Economics at HKUST, Professor Lucy Porter JORDAN, Associate Professor of Social Work and Social Administration at the University of Hong Kong, Ms Lucinda PIKE, Executive Director at Enrich, and Mr Roberto B. MABALOT, Jr., Vice Consul and Commercial Attache at the Philippine Consulate General.
Professor VISARIA shared her academic research on the financial constraints and choices of migrant domestic workers in Hong Kong and emphasized the financial demands from their social networks. Professor JORDAN discussed the negative impact of prolonged separation from families and highlighted domestic workers’ minimal private space. Some workers also had to deal with the restricted usage of communications technology.
Ms PIKE shed light on how COVID-19 has exacerbated these stresses and talked about the benefits of the financial empowerment workshops organized by Enrich had in altering workers’ financial behavior. Additionally, Mr MABALOT described the Philippines government’s seminars and business funding opportunities and emphasized the importance of focusing on investing in return migration and reintegration.
Click here to watch the full event recording.
